Restrictively exchanging and controlling vehicular data between communication devices of a private network

ABSTRACT

A novel and non-trivial system and method for restrictively exchanging and controlling vehicular data between communication devices of a private network is disclosed. A processor in communication with a plurality of user communication devices is used for controlling and restricting the exchange of vehicular data. In such network, the processor may establish a communication connection with an initiating communication device of an initiating user, receive initiating vehicular data from the initiating communication device and corresponding first users (e.g., defined trusted users) data, provide the initiating vehicular data to at least one available first user communication device, receive responding vehicular data responsive to the initiating vehicular data, and provide the responding vehicular data to the initiating communication device. Additionally, the processor may provide interested users who have not been defined as trusted users with the initiating product data and receive responding vehicular data from such interested users.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/531,740 now U.S. Pat. No.8,812,617, entitled “System and Method for Restrictively Exchanging andControlling Vehicular Data between Communication Devices of a PrivateNetwork,” an application which was a continuation of and claims thebenefit of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/152,003, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,214,456, entitled “System and Method for RestrictivelyExchanging Product Data between Communication Devices of a PrivateNetwork,” an application which was a continuation of and claimedpriority to U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/583,037, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,979,506, entitled “System and Method for RestrictivelyExchanging Product Data between Communication Devices of a Limited-UserNetwork,” an application which claimed priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/188,837 entitled “Apparatus and Method for ConductingTrusted Network Transactions.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to a data exchange system of products in thespot marketplace of a limited-user, electronic commerce, network.Although not limiting, the disclosures herein are drawn to a vehiculardata exchange system so that one user may restrict his or hertransactions to defined trusted users of the network. Also, the systempermits others who have not been defined as trusted users to conducttransactions if the products of the transactions match a product inwhich the non-defined user has expressed an interest.

Description of the Related Art

When purchasing a product the purchaser must first determine whichproduct best meets his or her needs. For example, one may be interestedin purchasing a vehicle having a specific make, model, color, price,and/or installed equipment of the vehicle. Such criteria may vary widelybetween purchasers. Once the purchaser has established interest in aparticular product, he or she may shop for the products by using theinternet, calling a vendor, or visiting a brick-and-mortar store ofthose who sell the product to determine, for instance, the best price.Today, consumers and businesses alike are using the internet to shop forproducts online to determine the best price as well as conductingpurchases at both retail and wholesale price points. While the internetserves as a valuable sales channel for many products such ascommodities, the internet has shown limited success with regard topurchasing other products such as used vehicles where the value of suchproduct is affected by criteria such as depreciation and currentcondition.

Marketplace-oriented websites that provide user rating features helpovercome concerns about the reputations of both buyers and sellers.These rating features have helped websites such as eBayMotors.comtransact millions of items over the Internet, many of those transactionsinvolving used vehicles. While millions of consumers may buy and sellvehicles online, there are other instances where buyers such as cardealers will not purchase used vehicles online without an inspectionbeing conducted. As a result, existing online exchange services designedto support car dealers for the purposes of wholesaling used vehicleshave not become widely accepted and adopted. Instead, leading wholesaleprovider Manheim Auctions Inc. conducts physical auctions and manages anestimated five million (5,000,000) wholesale used vehicle transactionsannually. While the physical auction indicates a degree of success, itsdealer-dedicated online auction known as “Online Vehicle Exchange”manages only an estimated thirty-nine thousand (39,000) used vehicletransactions annually by comparison as of Jun. 10, 2008. In spite ofproviding an estimated ten-fold savings, physical auctions arepreferable. One of the factors contributing to the lack of usage of theonline process may be attributed to the failure of the online process togain the trust of those who participate.

Unlike a consumer who purchases one or more vehicles every three to fiveyears, car dealers maximize profit by selling high margin vehicles atthe expense of low or no margin vehicles. This requires a juggling actof making room for in-demand vehicles by clearing the lot of aginginventory. This may require the liquidation or acquisition of aconsiderable volume of used vehicles at wholesale. While a consumer ismainly concerned with condition and price, he or she is not concernedwith turning a profit. Consumer tolerance for quality-to-pricecomparison in the retail marketplace is greater than a car dealerparticipating in the wholesale marketplace who cannot afford to makemistakes and suffer a loss or reduced profit margins. As such, cardealers are reluctant to use on-line vehicle trading solutions toconduct wholesale transactions. Factors which contribute to thisreluctance may include a lack of knowledge of the trading dealer or alack of trust. Car dealers would rather conduct a pre-purchaseinspection of a vehicle, communicate directly with other car dealersthey know and trust (i.e., trade partners), and attend physical auctionsdedicated to the trade in the wholesale marketplace. Wholesalingvehicles is an expensive and time consuming process.

Often times, dealers play phone tag daily with a small group of otherdealers whom they know and trust. Dealers may contact these direct tradepartners when attempting to obtain appraisal values and buy bids fortrade-in vehicles, liquidate aging inventory vehicles that are taking upprecious lot space that higher demand used vehicles could occupy, andprocure higher demand replacement inventory vehicles. In many cases,dealers may make wholesale commitments with trusted trade partnerswithout seeing a vehicle. In most cases, the most reliable real-timecommunications device remains the telephone. Because of this reliance,the process of wholesaling vehicles is severely limited and difficult tomanage.

The telephone limits wholesale channel exposure and visibility for cardealers, which reduces wholesale values. A dealer may be reluctant tocall other dealers of whom they do not know, but yet he or she isdefinitely interested in trade opportunities and might pay a higherprice for any given vehicle. The telephone also limits the ability toconduct many transactions in a short period and to negotiate separatelywith multiple parties simultaneously.

Computer-based communications over a network, however, can be used tocontact multiple parties simultaneously more efficiency without atelephone. For example, a computer-based communications network of buyerand vendor members for processing requests for goods and/or servicesfrom network members and for linking buyers to sellers has beendisclosed by Giovannoli in U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,328 entitled“Computerized Quotation System and Method.” The invention in Giovannolihas created the opportunity for buyers to relate to vendors without astructure operating through a centralized computer database. Requestsfor goods and/or services are broadcast to network members over theInternet with no centralized database of goods and/or prices involved;instead, requests for quotations are transmitted based upon filterconditions set by the buyer and/or seller, and/or network operator. Thefilter compatible to seller's responses are either directlycommunication to the buyer or to the computerized system which transmitsthe received quote to the requesting buyer. There is no central pricingdatabase to limit the number of buyers and vendors of goods and servicesor to limit the number of goods and services which can be processed. Byjoining the network, all vendors are potential class members no matterwhere in the world they are located. The network is a routing servicewith the routing being controlled by class description filters which canbe specified by the buyer, the network computer, and the vendors.

An electronic on-line motor vehicle auction information system has beendisclosed by Berent et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,873 entitled“Electronic On-line Motor Vehicle Auction and Information System.” Theinvention relates to commercial motor vehicles auctions (sellers) ofvehicles which have been assembled at one or more remote locations by amotor vehicle company. The process allows on-line participation andprovides participants (buyers) with access to auction-related data. Thesystem allows the dealer or other remote user to sign on to a hostnetwork from the user's PC through a remote access server. An SQL serverattached to the host computer contains a relational database of auctiondata and responds to information queries initiated by the user. Theelectronic motor vehicle auction and auction information system providesinteractive on-line services to remote users who may enter queries aboutvehicle sale information sale schedules, auction pricing, and vehiclestock availability, and who may “bid” for vehicles electronicallyagainst other users.

A vehicular data exchange system has been disclosed by Seretti et al inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,978,776 and 6,920,433 (both entitled “Vehicular DataExchange System and Method Therefor”). The invention relates to avehicular data exchange system so that users of such system can, withina brief period of time, simply and easily exchange vehicle data with oneanother for the purposes of buying and selling motor vehicles and/orobtaining appraisal data for motor vehicles. Characteristics of avehicle are inputted into a computer terminal by an initiating user, andfinancial information is inputted into a computer terminal by aresponding user after receiving and in response to the vehicularcharacteristics data.

Despite the advances in communication and the exchange of product datain an electronic commerce network, there is a need for an on-lineexchange system that mitigates trust issues currently affecting theadoption of the electronic commerce network by enhancing communicationsbetween dealers who know and trust each other more efficiently thantelephone communication. Also, trust issues can be mitigated byconnecting dealers who do not know each other but who may be“pre-qualified” by possessing a high rating based on a favorable andpositive feedback of previous transactions.

There is a need for an initiating dealer such as a seller to be able tofield responses from known trade partners and other users who areunknown to the initiating dealer; to choose who they do business withwhether the initiating user is selling, or buying, or exchangingappraisal, or price quote information per vehicle; and to accomplishthese activities in ways that do not require a transaction guarantee.Also, there is a need for an efficient way to search and locate listedvehicles offered by trusted trade partners of the network. Also, thereis a need for car dealers to use the Internet to contact other knownand/or unknown dealers, as needed, to obtain appraisal price informationand to submit buy offers (bids) on used vehicles when attempting toprovide competitive wholesale price quotes to their customers who aretrading their vehicles in against the purchase of another more desirablevehicle.

Finally, there is a need for an on-line exchange system for effectivelyreducing the need for car dealers to attend physical auctions to reduceexpenses and time to market, which ultimately reduces exposure to valuedepreciation. The presence of business relationships between trustedpartners can assist in reducing these expenses.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide timely dissemination ofproduct data to defined trusted users, to non-defined trusted users whohave expressed an interest in a particular product, or both.

It is another object of this invention to allow the initiating user theability to choose and/or negotiate with any of the responding userswithout being forced to use the “highest bidder.”

It is another object of this invention to allow the user to select andde-select trusted users; to invite, accept, or decline users as trustedusers; or to invite non-network guests to use the network with theopportunity to establishing a trusted relationship.

It is another object of this invention to allow the user to select andde-select trusted users based upon ratings determined through feedbackof users involved in previous transactions.

It is another object of this invention to allow the initiating users andresponding users to use any communication device available to the userincluding portable communication devices for communicating productcharacteristics and financial information, thereby increasing theefficiency at which a transaction may occur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of communication system 100 forrestrictively exchanging product data between communication devices of alimited-user network.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustration of a sample display screen.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustration of a sample screen display within an“Appraising” tab of a main navigation bar.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustration of a second sample screen display withinan “Appraising” tab of a main navigation bar.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustration of a sample screen display within a“Selling” tab of a main navigation bar.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustration of a sample screen display within an“Inventory” tab of a main navigation bar.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustration of a sample screen display within a“Buying” tab of a main navigation bar.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustration of a second sample screen within a“Buying” tab of a main navigation bar.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustration of a second sample screen display withina “Selling” tab of a main navigation bar.

FIG. 10 depicts an illustration of a third sample screen display withinan “Appraising” tab of a main navigation bar.

FIG. 11A depicts a main body of flowchart 200 of an example of a methodfor restrictively exchanging vehicular data between communicationdevices of a limited-user network.

FIG. 11B depicts a first branch of the flowchart 200.

FIG. 11C depicts a second branch of the flowchart 200.

FIG. 11D depicts a third branch of the flowchart 200.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, several specific details are presented toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. Oneskilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the inventioncan be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or incombination with other components, etc. In other instances, well-knownimplementations or operations are not shown or described in detail toavoid obscuring aspects of various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of communication system 100 forrestrictively exchanging and controlling product data betweencommunication devices of a private network suitable for implementationof the techniques described herein, where such private network is anetwork intended for or restricted to the use of at least threepre-identified and pre-approved users sharing a common interest. Thedata exchange and control system 100 of an embodiment of FIG. 1 couldinclude a plurality of user communication devices 110, a processor 120,and a storage device 130. It should be noted that, although thediscussion herein will be drawn to an exchange of vehicular data,relating to motor vehicles, planes, trains, earth movers, etc . . . ,the embodiments herein are not limited to vehicles but may be employedfor any spot market trading in products and/or goods through theexchange of product data and/or goods data.

In an embodiment of FIG. 1, user communication devices 110 a through 110f may be used as an input device, output device, or both for users of alimited network. As shown in FIG. 1, an input device may be any one of aplurality of devices available to a user for inputting vehicularinformation into the network controlled processor 120, and an outputdevice may be any one of a plurality of devices available to a user forreceiving vehicular information from the network controlled processor120. For the purpose of illustration and not limitation, a usercommunication device 110 could include, but is not limited to, apersonal computer 110 a and 110 f, a personal data assistant 110 b, alaptop 110 c and 110 e, and a tablet 110 d. Also, a user communicationdevice could comprise any device on which a user may input informationusing voice and/or push-button input and/or receive output informationvia a recorded voice including, but not limited to, a telephone, wheresuch input is converted to provide data representative of suchinformation prior to being provided to a processor 120 and such outputdata is converted to provide intelligible information to a user.

As embodied herein, a limited-user network could be established over anyprivate and/or public network, wired and/or wireless, in which aprocessor 120 may receive and/or control the exchange of datarepresentative of vehicular information between one or morecommunication devices 110 employed by users. As embodied herein, aprocessor 120 may be any electronic data processing unit which executessoftware or source code stored, permanently or temporarily, in a digitalmemory storage device or computer-readable media (not depicted herein)including, but not limited to, RAM, ROM, CD, DVD, hard disk drive,diskette, solid-state memory, PC Card, secure digital cards, and compactflash cards. A processor 120 may be driven by the execution of softwareor source code containing algorithms developed for the specificfunctions embodied herein. Common examples of electronic data processingunits are microprocessors, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs),Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Programmable Gate Arrays (PGAs), andsignal generators; however, for the embodiments herein, the termprocessor is not limited to such processing units and its meaning is notintended to be construed narrowly. For instance, a processor could alsoconsist of more than one electronic data processing units.

In an embodiment of FIG. 1, data storage device 130 could be employedfor storing data associated with a limited-user exchange system 100. Asembodied herein, the data storage device 130 could include any deviceinto which a processor 120 may store and/or retrieve data including, butnot limited to, a database or any of the previously-stated digitalmemory storage devices or computer-readable media. It should be notedthat, although the discussion herein will be drawn to a database, theembodiments herein are not limited to a database.

A database may be used to store user characteristics data such ascontact information and ratings based on trading behavior, and vehicularcharacteristics data that may include characteristics that identify thevehicle as a depreciating asset such as year, make, model, and mileage(i.e., odometer reading) and may include criteria to identify currentcondition including a rating scale (e.g., 1 through 10), sales data suchas final selling price, and any offers that are being tracked based onthe Vehicle Identification Number (“VIN”). Data may also be used foridentifying the current status of the data such as listed, or unlisted,sold, or eligible for re-list, or pending transaction etc.

A database may be used to record user performance. For example, aftereach transaction, processor 120 could provide a feedback form to theusers who, in turn, may rate the other user on a scale (e.g., 1 through10, where 1 could mean poor and 10 could mean outstanding). Each ratingcould be recorded or stored in a data storage device 130, and processor120 could track ratings and determine an individual rating of each userbased on cumulative feedback. Users with numerous transactions combinedwith positive feedback may improve their rating. An outstanding or otherhigh rating based on user responses to trade behavior may generate morebusiness opportunities. For example, outstanding user rating may promptother users to invite such well-rated user to become a trade partner.Users can refer other users to the system and invite users who are onthe system to become trade partners. Users that receive invitations tojoin one's trusted partner group who, in turn, may accept or declinesuch invitation. Also, a user may wish to invite one who is not a userof the network to join the network or accept a guest pass to use thenetwork on a limited-time basis. The rating system combined with theability to receive and maintain responses from known trusted users couldenable the initiating user to effectively determine which buying,selling, and appraisal opportunities are most suitable to his or herneeds.

In an embodiment of FIG. 1, a processor 120 is shown in communicationwith a plurality of user communication devices 110 of the limited-usernetwork by lines of various thicknesses or patterns. The difference inline thickness could represent whether a processor 120 has establishedcommunications with a communication device of a trusted user, acommunication device of an interested user, or communication device of auser who is neither a trusted user nor an interested user. As embodiedherein, the thicker lines depicted between processor 120 and usercommunication devices 110 b and 110 c could indicate that the users ofcommunication devices 110 b and 110 c are trusted users as defined bythe user of initiating communication device 110 a. The thinner linesdepicted between processor 120 and user communication devices 110 d and110 e could indicate that the users of communication devices 110 d and110 e are interested users who are not defined as trusted users butinterested in a vehicle specified by the user of initiatingcommunication device 110 a. The dashed line depicted between processor120 and communication device 110 f could indicate that the user ofcommunication device 110 f has not been identified as either a trusteduser or an interested user.

The advantages and benefits of the embodiments of a limited-user dataexchange system 100 disclosed herein may be illustrated by depictingexamples of data fields into which user and/or vehicular information maybe inputted into a user communication device 110 of a user in alimited-user network. It should be noted that, although the examplesdepicted herein are drawn to a communication device having a display andemploying a graphical-user interface (“GUI”), the embodiments herein arenot limited to such communication device.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a sample display screen that could bedisplayed on a communication device. Near the top of the screen is amain navigation bar comprising tabs labeled “Appraising,” “Selling,”Buying,” Inventory,” and “Network Users”; this main navigation bar willbe used repeatedly in FIGS. 2 through 9, inclusive. It should be notedthat the sample screen displays and the information presented thereonhave been intentionally abbreviated for the sake of discussion andillustration only. Those skilled in the art are aware that a plethora ofscreen display configurations are available for input and output. Thepresentation of the sample screen displays shown in the drawings hereinare not considered as limitations of the embodiments disclosed herein.

In an embodiment of FIG. 2, the illustration presents a sample screendisplay which could appear when working within a “Network Users” tab ofthe main navigation bar. An illustrative list is shown for providinginformation related to the plurality of users of a limited-user networkfrom which a user may select trusted users. As embodied herein, aprocessor 120 could control and maintain information relating to theusers of the network, and provide such data to a user device fordisplay. For the purpose of illustration and not limitation, the listcontains information corresponding to six data fields: Users, DealershipName, Distance, Rating, Trusted, and Invite. Under each data field,there are nine entries. As indicated by the boxes with checked marks inthe “Trusted” column, a user has selected six of the nine “Users” astrusted users. Using this screen, a user is capable of adding users tohis or her trusted network by selecting a box in the “Trusted” column orremoving users by de-selecting a box. In one embodiment, datarepresentative of user-selected trusted users may be received by aprocessor 120, stored in a data storage device 130, and retrieved asnecessary. In another embodiment, data representative of user-selectedtrusted users may be stored in the user's communication device 110.

As shown in FIG. 2, James Black and Steve Moon have not been selected astrusted users but have relatively high ratings: 9.5 and 8.3,respectively. As discussed above, these ratings could be have beendetermined by processor 120 based on the user feedback of pasttransactions. Based on these high ratings, a user may wish to establisha business relationship and extend an invitation to each to join histrusted user group. As indicated by the boxes with checked marks in the“Invite” column, processor 120 could receive data representative of theinvitation from the user's communication device and provided such datato the invitees' communication devices. Along with receiving theinvitation, the invitees may also be enabled with the ability to acceptor decline the invitation, where processor 120 could receive datarepresentative of the acceptance or decline from the invitees'communication devices and automatically update the user's trusted usergroup accordingly. On a different display, a user could review a list ofthose users who consider him or her a trusted user and remove himself orherself from being a trusted user of those users by utilizingde-selection means.

As shown in FIG. 2, someone who is not a member of the limited-usernetwork could be invited to become a member as a guest user on alimited-time basis. A user may wish to establish a business relationshipwho is not a member of the network and extend an invitation to suchperson to be a guest user of the network, for instance, by entering theperson's e-mail address. Once entered and received by processor 120,data representative of the invitation may be sent to the person. Alongwith receiving the invitation, the guest invitee may also be enabledwith the ability to accept or decline the invitation, where processor120 could receive data representative of the acceptance or decline fromthe invitee's communication device and automatically update the user'strusted user group accordingly on a limited-time basis while adding theguest user to the network.

In an embodiment of FIG. 3, the illustration presents a sample screendisplay which could appear when working within an “Appraising” tab ofthe main navigation bar. This sample screen display could be accessed,for example, when a user wants to obtain an appraisal of a vehicle fromthe trusted users he or she has selected. A plurality of fields isdepicted, where each field corresponds to a vehicular characteristicsdata unit of a vehicle. Using one or more of these fields, a user mayinput vehicular characteristics data units of a vehicle including, butnot limited to, make, model, year, vehicle identification number(“VIN”), a response date and time, body style, color, condition of theinterior and exterior, odometer mileage, engine condition, glasscondition, general overall condition, tire condition, other equipmentinstalled, and remarks. Also, a user could add or include an image(s) ofthe vehicle as a vehicular characteristics data unit. As embodiedherein, one or more of the fields depicted in the drawings herein couldemploy one or more user GUIs to assist with the inputting of dataincluding, but not limited to, drop-down lists and combo boxes. Afterthe user has completed inputting some or all of the vehicularcharacteristics data units into the user's communication device 110,data representative of such units may be provided by such device toprocessor 120 for subsequent routing of such data to the usercommunication devices of the network 100. As embodied herein, suchrouting could be limited to devices of trusted users. Also, such routingcould include any user who is interested in buying a vehicle matchingthe vehicular characteristics data units as determined by processor 120,where such buying activity is described below in FIG. 8.

In an embodiment of FIG. 4, the illustration presents a second samplescreen display which could appear when working within an “Appraising”tab of the main navigation bar. This screen could be used by a userresponding to an initiating user who inputted vehicular characteristicsdata units using the sample screen display of FIG. 3. As observed inFIG. 4, some of the fields have been pre-populated with vehicularcharacteristics data units (it is assumed that the initiating user isseeking an appraisal for a 2000 Toyota Camry with the VINSTCBY16871A580908). Although not depicted in the drawing, othervehicular characteristics data units inputted by the initiating user maybe provided to the responding user. As understood by those skilled inthe art, any screen display requiring a response of a user may be madeconspicuous to alert or in some way demand the attention of theresponding user, especially if there is an opportunity where time is ofthe essence. In one example, the screen display or fields on the displayof a responding user's device could be made to flash or have differentcolors. In another example, an alarm or notification sound could begenerated by a responding user's device.

Using the “Appraisal/Price Quote” field, a responding user may input avehicular financial data unit corresponding to the vehicle such as anappraisal value. If the responding user is interested in buying thevehicle, he could indicate an offer, for example, by selecting a boxunder the “Buy” and inputting a response data such as a bid amount andtime as part of the vehicular financial data units. In addition tosubmitting a bid amount, the responding user may select “Track VIN” forfuture notification should the same VIN re-appear in the network in asubsequent transaction; for instance, where a first initiating userfails to acquire the vehicle and a second initiating user inputs thesame VIN information at a later time. Should this occur, processor 120could provide the responding user with the vehicular characteristicsdata units inputted by the second initiating user. It should be notedthat, although the term “Price Offer” will be used herein to reflect afinancial data unit, other terms could be used in its place including,but not limited to, bid price amount, assessment price amount, awholesale price amount, and a retail price amount, where the use of aspecific term could be tailored to the transaction being performed.

After the vehicular financial data unit(s) has been inputted into theresponding user's communication device 110, data representative of suchunits may be provided by such device to processor 120 for subsequentrouting of such data to the initiating user. Thereafter, an initiatinguser may be presented with vehicular financial data unit(s) informationfrom one or more responding users. If one or more of the responsesindicates an offer to buy, the screen display could be configured with ameans for conveying the acceptance including, but not limited to, abutton or link which accepts the offer when clicked; if an offer isaccepted, this acceptance may be provided to processor 120 and routed tothe communication device 110 of corresponding responding user, where theuser is presented with the acceptance.

In an embodiment of FIG. 5, the illustration presents a sample screendisplay which could appear when working within a “Selling” tab of themain navigation bar. This sample screen display could be accessed when,for example, a user wants to sell a vehicle to the trusted users he orshe has selected. A plurality of fields is depicted, where each fieldcorresponds to a vehicular characteristics data unit of a vehicle. Theplurality of fields is similar to those fields depicted in FIG. 3 andincludes a price quote for selling the vehicle. A user may inputinformation in one or more of the vehicular characteristics data unitcorresponding to the vehicle. In another embodiment where inventoryinformation could be stored in the user's communication device orcapable of being retrieved by such device, a user could click on abutton or link such as the “Select from Inventory” button to take theuser to a “Inventory” tab on the main navigation bar where a samplescreen display such as shown in FIG. 6 could be displayed. From thisdisplay, a user could click on a button or link such as the “CreateListing” button to populate the one or more of vehicular characteristicsdata unit fields of the “Selling” screen display of FIG. 5. After theuser has completed inputting some or all of the vehicularcharacteristics data units of FIG. 5 into the user's communicationdevice 110, data representative of such units may be provided by suchdevice to processor 120 for subsequent routing of such data to the usercommunication devices of the network 100. As embodied herein, suchrouting could be limited to devices of trusted users. Also, such routingcould include any user who is interested in buying a vehicle matchingthe vehicular characteristics data units as determined by processor 120,where such buying activity is described below in FIG. 8.

In an embodiment of FIG. 7, the illustration presents a sample screendisplay which could appear when working within a “Buying” tab of themain navigation bar. This screen could be used by a user responding toan initiating user who inputted vehicular characteristics data unitsusing the sample screen display of FIG. 5. As observed in FIG. 7, someof the fields have been pre-populated with vehicular characteristicsdata units (it is assumed that the initiating user is seeking to sell a2000 Toyota Camry with the VIN STCBY16871A580908). Although not depictedin the drawing, other vehicular characteristics data units inputted bythe initiating user may be provided to the responding user. A respondinguser may input a vehicular financial data units corresponding such asprice quote and response date and time.

After the vehicular financial data unit(s) has been inputted into theresponding user's communication device 110, data representative of suchunits may be provided by such device to processor 120 for subsequentrouting of such data to the initiating user. Thereafter, an initiatinguser may be presented with vehicular financial data unit(s) informationfrom one or more responding users offering to buy. The screen displaycould be configured with a means for conveying the acceptance including,but not limited to, a button or link which accepts the offer whenclicked; if an offer is accepted, this acceptance may be provided toprocessor 120 and routed to the communication device 110 ofcorresponding responding user, where the user is presented with theacceptance.

In an embodiment of FIG. 8, the illustration presents a second samplescreen display which could appear when working within a “Buying” tab ofthe main navigation bar. This sample screen display could be accessedwhen, for example, a user wants to buy a vehicle from the trusted usershe or she has selected. A plurality of fields is depicted, where eachfield corresponds to a vehicular characteristics data unit of a vehicle.The plurality of fields is similar to those fields depicted in FIGS. 3and 5 but does not include unknown information or information not neededto buy a vehicle. A user may input information in one or more of thevehicular characteristics data unit corresponding to a vehicle. Afterthe user has completed inputting some or all of the vehicularcharacteristics data units of FIG. 8 into the user's communicationdevice 110, data representative of such units may be provided by suchdevice to processor 120 for subsequent routing of such data to the usercommunication devices of the network 100. As embodied herein, suchrouting could be limited to devices of trusted users. Also, such routingcould include any user who is interested in selling a vehicle matchingthe vehicular characteristics data units as determined by processor 120,where such selling activity was described above in FIG. 5.

In an embodiment of FIG. 9, the illustration presents a second samplescreen display which could appear when working within a “Selling” tab ofthe main navigation bar. This screen could be used by a user respondingto an initiating user who inputted vehicular characteristics data unitsusing the sample screen display of FIG. 8. As observed in FIG. 9, someof the fields have been pre-populated with vehicular characteristicsdata units (it is assumed that the initiating user is seeking to buy a2000 Toyota Camry). Vehicular characteristics data units inputted by theinitiating user may be provided to the responding user. A respondinguser may input vehicular financial data units corresponding such asprice quote and response date and time. Also, a responding user mayinput vehicular characteristics data units in the same or like fashionas described above in FIG. 5.

After the vehicular financial data unit(s) and vehicular characteristicsdata unit(s) have been inputted into the responding user's communicationdevice 110, data representative of such units may be provided by suchdevice to processor 120 for subsequent routing of such data to theinitiating user. Thereafter, an initiating user may be presented withvehicular financial data unit(s) and vehicular characteristics dataunit(s) information from one or more responding users offering to sell.The screen display could be configured with a means for conveying theacceptance including, but not limited to, a button or link which acceptsthe offer when clicked; if an offer is accepted, this acceptance may beprovided to processor 120 and routed to the communication device 110 ofcorresponding responding user, where the user is presented with theacceptance.

In an additional embodiment herein, an initiating user may narrow his orher list of trusted users during any transaction including, but notlimited to, appraising, selling, and buying transactions. In anembodiment of FIG. 10, the illustration presents a third sample screendisplay which could appear when working within an “Appraising” tab ofthe main navigation bar. This sample screen display could be accessed,for example, when a user wants to narrow his or her trusted users whenobtaining an appraisal of a vehicle. Of the six trusted users selectedin FIG. 2 above, the user has deselected two of them. When data isprovided by the user's communication device to processor 120 forsubsequent routing, such routing could be limited to devices of the fourtrusted users. Although FIG. 10 is drawn to an appraising transaction,the narrowing of trusted users could be included in other transactionsincluding, but not limited to, selling and buying transactions.

FIGS. 11A through 11D depict a flowchart 200 of an example of a methodfor restrictively exchanging and controlling product data betweencommunication devices of a private network. The flowchart begins on FIG.11A with module 202 with the establishing communication between aprocessor 120 and an initiating communication device 110 a correspondingto an initiating user of a limited-user network 100. In one embodiment,data representative of log-on information of an initiating user may bestored with an initiating communication device 110 a and provided toprocessor 120 when an initiating communication device 110 a attempts tolog-in to the network, which verifies the initiating user data withnetwork user data previously stored in a data storage device 130. Inanother embodiment, data representative of an initiating user may bestored in a data storage device 130, and when an initiatingcommunication device attempts to log-in to the network, log-oninformation may be inputted by a initiating user, and datarepresentative of such log-on information may be provided to processor120, which verifies the initiating user data with network user datapreviously stored in a data storage device 130.

The flowchart continues with module 204 with the receiving of initiatingproduct data from the initiating communication device 110 a by aprocessor 120. The initiating product data could be data representativeof product information inputted by an initiating user. Such productinformation could comprise of product characteristics data units; forexample, in a market trading vehicles, product characteristics dataunits could comprise vehicular characteristics data units. As embodiedherein, the input information could be associated with a plurality oftransactions including, but not limited to, an appraisal opportunity, abuy opportunity, or a sell opportunity.

The flowchart continues with module 206 with the receiving of first userdata of the initiating user, where first user data could be trusted userdata representative of trusted users selected by initiating user. Asembodied herein, first user data could be received from an initiatingcommunication device 110 a and provided to processor 120 as input froman initiating user. Alternatively, first user data could be received byprocessor 120 retrieving first user data from a data storage device 130corresponding to the data representative of the initiating user.

The flowchart continues with module 208 with determining theavailability of one or more first user communication devices 110 b and110 c corresponding to the first user data, where first usercommunication devices could be devices corresponding to trusted userswhen first user data corresponds to trusted user data. Availability ofone or more first user communication devices 110 b and 110 c coulddepend on whether communication has been established between theprocessor 120 and such devices. If a first user communication device isnot available, then the flowchart continues with module 220.

The flowchart continues with module 210 with the providing of initiatingproduct data to available first user communication device(s).

The flowchart continues with module 212 with the receiving of respondingproduct data by processor 120 from at least one responding usercommunication device, where the responding product data may be dataresponsive to the initiating product data for each responding first usercommunication device or second user communication device discuss below.Responding product data could be data representative of informationinputted by a responding user, and such information could compriseproduct financial data units; for example, in a market trading vehicles,product financial data units could comprise vehicular financial dataunits.

The flowchart continues with module 214 with the providing of theresponding product data to an initiating communication device 110 a.Then, the flowchart proceeds to the end.

In an additional embodiment herein, if one or more first usercommunication devices are not available, then the flowchart continues toFIG. 11B with module 220 with the providing of the initiating productdata to a data storage device 130.

The flowchart continues with module 222 with the retrieving ofinitiating product data when an unavailable first user communicationdevice of module 208 becomes available when a communication connectionwith processor 120 has been established. With the addition of anavailable user communication device, the flowchart proceeds to FIG. 11Awith module 210.

In an additional embodiment herein, the flowchart continues to FIG. 11Cwith module 230 with the identifying of second user data based upon tothe initiating product data. Second users who have not been selected byan initiating user as a trusted user may nevertheless be interested in aproduct matching the product represented in the initiating product data.Second users who have an interest in a product could have providedprocessor 120 with data representative of such product, where suchproduct data could have been stored in a data storage device 130. Afterreceiving the initiating product data, processor 120 could conduct asearch of data source 130 to identify one or more second usersinterested in the product represented in the initiating product data.That is, processor 120 could conduct a search of data source 130 tomatch second user product data with initiating product data.

The flowchart continues with module 232 with determining theavailability of one or more second user communication devices 110 d and110 e corresponding to the second user data, where second usercommunication devices could be devices corresponding to interested userswhen second user data corresponds to initiating product data.Availability of one or more second user communication devices 110 d and110 e could depend on whether communication has been established betweenthe processor 120 and such devices. If a second user communicationdevice is not available, then the flowchart continues with module 240.

The flowchart continues with module 234 with the providing of initiatingproduct data to available second user communication device(s). Then, theflowchart proceeds to FIG. 11A with module 212, wherein the respondingproduct data may be data responsive to the initiating product data foreach responding second user communication device as discussed above.

In an additional embodiment herein, if one or more second usercommunication devices are not available, then the flowchart continues toFIG. 11D with module 240 with the providing of the initiating productdata to a data storage device 130.

The flowchart continues with module 242 with the retrieving ofinitiating product data when an unavailable second user communicationdevice of module 232 becomes available when a communication connectionwith processor 120 has been established. With the addition of anavailable user communication device, the flowchart proceeds to FIG. 11Cwith module 234.

It should be noted that the method steps described above may be embodiedin computer-readable media as computer instruction code. It shall beappreciated to those skilled in the art that not all method stepsdescribed must be performed, nor must they be performed in the orderstated.

As used herein, the term “embodiment” means an embodiment that serves toillustrate by way of example but not limitation.

It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the precedingexamples and embodiments are exemplary and not limiting to the scope ofthe present invention. It is intended that all permutations,enhancements, equivalents, and improvements thereto that are apparent tothose skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a studyof the drawings are included within the true spirit and scope of thepresent invention. It is therefore intended that the following appendedclaims include all such modifications, permutations and equivalents asfall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication system for restrictivelyexchanging and controlling vehicular data between communication devicesof a private network, said system comprising: a processor incommunication with dealer communication devices of a private network,where the private network is defined as a network intended for orrestricted to the use of at least three pre-identified and pre-approveddealers participating in a marketplace of vehicle transactions, wherethe processor is configured to receive initiating vehicular data from acommunication device of an initiating dealer, where  the initiatingvehicular data is comprised of at least a plurality of vehicularcharacteristics data units of a vehicle, receive first dealer data ofthe initiating dealer, where  the first dealer data is representative ofat least one trusted dealer selected from a plurality of pre-identifiedand pre-approved dealers of the private network, and  each trusteddealer has been selected by the initiating dealer, provide theinitiating vehicular data to a communication device of at least onetrusted dealer and with which communication has been established,receive first responding vehicular data from a communication device ofat least one trusted dealer responsive to the initiating vehicular data,and provide the first responding vehicular data to a communicationdevice of the initiating dealer.
 2. The communications system of claim1, wherein the plurality of vehicular characteristics data units of avehicle includes at least one image of the vehicle.
 3. Thecommunications system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vehicularcharacteristics data units of a vehicle includes a price of the vehicle.4. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the first dealer dataof the initiating dealer is received from a communication device of theinitiating dealer.
 5. The communications system of claim 1, wherein theprocessor receives the first dealer data of the initiating dealer byretrieving the first dealer data from a data storage device.
 6. Thecommunications system of claim 1, wherein the first responding vehiculardata is representative of at least one vehicular financial data unit. 7.The communications system of claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to identify second dealer data based upon the initiatingvehicular data, where the second dealer data is representative of atleast one interested dealer of the private network, where an interesteddealer is a dealer not selected as a trusted dealer, provide theinitiating vehicular data to a communication device of at least oneinterested dealer and with which communication has been established,receive second responding vehicular data from a communication device ofat least one interested dealer responsive to the initiating vehiculardata, and provide the second responding vehicular data to acommunication device of the initiating dealer.
 8. The communicationssystem of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured todetermine third dealer data based upon at least a transaction-basedrating, where the third dealer data is representative of at least onepre-qualified dealer of the private network, where a pre-qualifieddealer is a dealer not selected as a trusted dealer, and provide eitherthe third dealer data to a communication device of an initiating dealer,the identity of the initiating user to a communication device of atleast one pre-qualified dealer, or both the third dealer data to acommunication device of an initiating dealer and the identity of theinitiating user to a communication device of at least one pre-qualifieddealer.
 9. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the processoris further configured to receive fourth dealer data, where the fourthdealer data is representative of at least one invited dealer of theprivate network, where an invited dealer is a dealer invited to become atrusted user of the initiating dealer, and provide the fourth dealerdata to a communication device of at least invited dealer.
 10. Acommunication method for restrictively exchanging and controllingvehicular data between communication devices of a private network, saidmethod comprising: receiving initiating vehicular data from acommunication device of an initiating dealer, where the communicationdevice of an initiating dealer is one of a plurality of communicationdevices of a private network, where the private network is defined as anetwork intended for or restricted to the use of at least threepre-identified and pre-approved dealers participating in a marketplaceof vehicle transactions, and the initiating vehicular data is comprisedof at least a plurality of vehicular characteristics data units of avehicle; receiving first dealer data of the initiating dealer, where thefirst dealer data is representative of at least one trusted dealerselected from a plurality of pre-identified and pre-approved dealers ofthe private network, and each trusted dealer has been selected by theinitiating dealer; providing the initiating vehicular data to acommunication device of at least one trusted dealer and with whichcommunication has been established; receiving first responding vehiculardata from a communication device of at least one trusted dealerresponsive to the initiating vehicular data; and providing the firstresponding vehicular data to a communication device of the initiatingdealer.
 11. The communications method of claim 10, wherein the pluralityof vehicular characteristics data units of a vehicle includes at leastone image of the vehicle.
 12. The communications method of claim 10,wherein the plurality of vehicular characteristics data units of avehicle includes a price of the vehicle.
 13. The communications methodof claim 10, wherein the first dealer data of the initiating dealer isreceived from a communication device of the initiating dealer.
 14. Thecommunications method of claim 10, wherein the processor receives thefirst dealer data of the initiating dealer by retrieving the firstdealer data from a data storage device.
 15. The communications method ofclaim 10, further comprising: identifying second dealer data based uponthe initiating vehicular data, where the second dealer data isrepresentative of at least one interested dealer of the private network,where an interested dealer is a dealer not selected as a trusted dealer;providing the initiating vehicular data to a communication device of atleast one interested dealer and with which communication has beenestablished; receiving second responding vehicular data from acommunication device of at least one interested dealer responsive to theinitiating vehicular data; and providing the second responding vehiculardata to a communication device of the initiating dealer.
 16. Thecommunications method of claim 10, further comprising: determining thirddealer data based upon at least a transaction-based rating, where thethird dealer data is representative of at least one pre-qualified dealerof the private network, where a pre-qualified dealer is a dealer notselected as a trusted dealer; and providing either the third dealer datato a communication device of an initiating dealer, the identity of theinitiating user to a communication device of at least one pre-qualifieddealer, or both the third dealer data to a communication device of aninitiating dealer and the identity of the initiating user to acommunication device of at least one pre-qualified dealer.
 17. Thecommunications method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving fourthdealer data, where the fourth dealer data is representative of at leastone invited dealer of the private network, where an invited dealer is adealer invited to become a trusted user of the initiating dealer; andproviding the fourth dealer data to a communication device of at leastinvited dealer.
 18. A communication system for restrictively exchangingand controlling vehicular data between communication devices of aprivate network, said system comprising: a communication device of aninitiating user in communication with a processor of a private network,where the private network is defined as a network intended for orrestricted to the use of at least three pre-identified and pre-approveddealers participating in a marketplace of vehicle transactions, wherethe communication device of an initiating dealer is configured toreceive initiating vehicular data inputted by an initiating dealer,where  the initiating vehicular data is comprised of at least aplurality of vehicular characteristics data units of a vehicle, receivefirst dealer data of the initiating dealer, where  the first dealer datais representative of at least one trusted dealer selected from aplurality of pre-identified and pre-approved dealers of the privatenetwork, and  each trusted dealer has been selected by the initiatingdealer, provide the initiating vehicular data to the processor of theprivate network, and receive first responding vehicular data responsiveto the initiating vehicular data, where  the first responding vehiculardata is representative of a response originating from a communicationdevice of at least one trusted dealer, such that  the responserepresented in the first responding vehicular data is presentable to theinitiating user via a communication device of the initiating user. 19.The communications system of claim 18, wherein the plurality ofvehicular characteristics data units of a vehicle includes at least oneimage of the vehicle.
 20. The communications system of claim 18, whereinthe plurality of vehicular characteristics data units of a vehicleincludes a price of the vehicle.
 21. The communications system of claim18, wherein the response includes at least one vehicular financial dataunit.
 22. The communications system of claim 18, wherein thecommunication device of an initiating user is further configured toreceive second responding vehicular data responsive to the initiatingvehicular data, where the second responding vehicular data isrepresentative of a response originating from a communication device ofat least one interested dealer of the private network, where aninterested dealer is a dealer not selected as a trusted dealer, suchthat  the response represented in the second responding vehicular datais presentable to the initiating user via a communication device of theinitiating user.
 23. The communications system of claim 22, wherein anidentification of at least one interested dealer is performed by theprocessor of a private network, and based upon the initiating vehiculardata.
 24. The communications system of claim 18, wherein thecommunication device of an initiating user is further configured toreceive second dealer data responsive to a transaction-based rating,where the second dealer data is representative of at least onepre-qualified dealer of the private network, where a pre-qualifieddealer is a dealer not selected as a trusted dealer.
 25. Thecommunications system of claim 24, wherein a determination of the seconddealer data is performed by the processor of a private network, andbased upon a transaction-based rating.
 26. The communications system ofclaim 18, wherein the communication device of an initiating user isfurther configured to receive third dealer data inputted by theinitiating dealer, where the third dealer data is representative of atleast one invited dealer of the private network, where an invited dealeris a dealer invited to become a trusted user of the initiating dealer,and provide the third dealer data to the processor of the privatenetwork.
 27. A communication method for restrictively exchanging andcontrolling vehicular data between communication devices of a privatenetwork, said method comprising: receiving initiating vehicular datainputted through a communication device of an initiating user, where thecommunication device of an initiating dealer is one of a plurality ofcommunication devices of a private network, where the private network isdefined as a network intended for or restricted to the use of at leastthree pre-identified and pre-approved dealers participating in amarketplace of vehicle transactions, and the initiating vehicular datais comprised of at least a plurality of vehicular characteristics dataunits of a vehicle; receiving first dealer data of the initiatingdealer, where the first dealer data is representative of at least onetrusted dealer selected from a plurality of pre-identified andpre-approved dealers of the private network, and each trusted dealer hasbeen selected by the initiating dealer; providing the initiatingvehicular data to the processor of the private network; and receivingfirst responding vehicular data responsive to the initiating vehiculardata, where the first responding vehicular data is representative of aresponse originating from a communication device of at least one trusteddealer, such that the response represented in the first respondingvehicular data is presentable to the initiating user via a communicationdevice of the initiating user.
 28. The communications method of claim27, wherein the plurality of vehicular characteristics data units of avehicle includes at least one image of the vehicle.
 29. Thecommunications method of claim 27, wherein the plurality of vehicularcharacteristics data units of a vehicle includes a price of the vehicle.30. The communications method of claim 27, wherein the response includesat least one vehicular financial data unit.
 31. The communicationsmethod of claim 27, further comprising: receiving second respondingvehicular data responsive to the initiating vehicular data, where thesecond responding vehicular data is representative of a responseoriginating from a communication device of at least one interesteddealer of the private network, where an interested dealer is a dealernot selected as a trusted dealer, such that the response represented inthe second responding vehicular data is presentable to the initiatinguser via a communication device of the initiating user.
 32. Thecommunications method of claim 31, wherein an identification of at leastone interested dealer is performed by the processor of a privatenetwork, and based upon the initiating vehicular data.
 33. Thecommunications method of claim 27, further comprising: receiving seconddealer data responsive to a transaction-based rating, where the seconddealer data is representative of at least one pre-qualified dealer ofthe private network, where a pre-qualified dealer is a dealer notselected as a trusted dealer.
 34. The communications method of claim 33,wherein a determination of the second dealer data is performed by theprocessor of a private network, and based upon a transaction-basedrating.
 35. The communications method of claim 27, further comprising:receiving third dealer data inputted by the initiating dealer, where thethird dealer data is representative of at least one invited dealer ofthe private network, where an invited dealer is a dealer invited tobecome a trusted user of the initiating dealer; and providing the thirddealer data to the processor of the private network.